Both the Heavenly Gate and the Ancient Lan Great World were of utmost importance and could not be allowed to come to harm.
The Palace Head of the Myriad Worlds Palace hesitated for a moment before speaking. "The Tian Cang Domain, because it is close to the center of the Myriad Domains and possesses the easily defensible Ancient Dragon Mountain Range, lies at the border between the territory controlled by the alien race and the territory held by our ancient universe. Precisely because of this, it is often in a state of major conflict."
"From what I know, the Tian Cang Domain is already a scene of devastation, with the people suffering. Because the Heavenly Gate is located in the Tian Cang Domain, it has also become the main force engaging the alien army in this territory. Consequently, it is in a dangerous state. I've heard that over these years, many Heavenly Gate experts have perished, and even several Great Powers have fallen."
Great Powers have fallen?
Ye Chen and the others immediately felt their hearts sink, urgently pressing for more information. "What about the current Gate Lord, Senior Wang Chen, and the Peacock King? Are they alright?"
Among the Heavenly Gate members in the Tian Cang Domain today, Wang Chen and the Peacock King had the deepest ties with Ye Chen. Naturally, Ye Chen did not want to hear any bad news concerning them.
"According to the information we have, both Wang Chen and the Peacock King are fine. Moreover, this master and disciple have successively broken through to become Divine Kings. However, based on the latest intelligence received today, roughly on this very day, the alien race has also launched a massive army, initiating the largest-scale invasion of the Tian Cang Domain in history. Similarly, the alien armies stationed in other major domains are also—"
Suddenly, the Palace Head of the Myriad Worlds Palace changed expression, as did the other seven Quasi-Monarchs.
This was because the timing of the alien army's war launch was far too coincidental—all happening today.
Could it be that the alien race was about to carry out some grand scheme?
Thinking this, the eight Quasi-Monarchs of the Emperor's Pass also turned grim.
Ye Chen and his companions also wore exceptionally unsightly expressions. If the alien army launched a major war today, wouldn't the Heavenly Gate also be in peril?
The Palace Head of the Myriad Worlds Palace looked grim. "Moreover, according to the latest news just transmitted from the myriad heavens and domains, moments ago, the alien army reached the foot of Heavenly Gate Mountain. They even dispatched an Ancient Monarch. This is also why our earlier request for Ancient Monarchs to come reinforce us went unanswered."
However, some were puzzled. It was obvious at a glance which was more important between the Heavenly Gate and the Tenth Emperor's Pass. Why would the Ancient Monarchs go to the Heavenly Gate instead of the Tenth Emperor's Pass?
This point was worthy of suspicion.
Furthermore, they learned that the assignment of this Ancient Monarch was personally ordered by the Supreme Human Emperor.
Even Ye Chen, amidst his worry, felt some confusion and voiced this doubt.
An elderly Quasi-Monarch slowly spoke, his eyes flickering slightly. "Because... the alien race sensed an aura within the Heavenly Gate suspected to be related to the 'Origin Land.'"
"Related to the 'Origin Land'!?"
The crowd was shocked. Ye Chen's eyes flickered, as he had a general understanding.
This matter was most likely related to the Heavenly Gate's Gate Lord.
"What about the Myriad Saints Domain?"
Though his heart was filled with unbearable anxiety, Ye Chen restrained himself and asked.
The Palace Head of the Myriad Worlds Palace hesitated slightly. "The Myriad Saints Domain has already fallen and become part of the territory controlled by the alien race."
"Damn it!"
Ye Chen clenched his fists, his aura releasing faint, terrifying strands.
The Ancient Lan Great World housed his Ye Clan members, even his parents...
Simultaneously, he tried to sense the faith-body formed by a wisp of divine sense he had left in the Ancient Lan Great World years ago, combined with faith, but found he could not establish contact.
He didn't know if the connection was severed or if it had been destroyed.
If it was the former, it was still manageable; the latter was unthinkable.
Instantly, his worry intensified.
Seeing the unsightly expression on Ye Chen's face, the Palace Head of the Myriad Worlds Palace immediately comforted him. "Battle Saint King, you actually don't need to worry too much. Although over these years the alien race has occupied over forty percent of our myriad heavens and domains' territory, they have rarely carried out comprehensive massacres. They basically just simply control the major domains."
Hearing this, Ye Chen also slightly relaxed, feeling somewhat relieved. If his family members were truly harmed, he didn't dare guarantee he wouldn't go completely mad...
That being said, the most important thing now was to head to the Tian Cang Domain and prevent the Heavenly Gate from suffering a catastrophic disaster.
As if able to discern Ye Chen's thoughts, the Palace Head of the Myriad Worlds Palace said solemnly, "Battle Saint King, the Human Emperor Palace, to allow experts from the myriad heavens and domains or the Emperor's Pass to travel freely between them, left behind a Supreme Passageway. It contains Supreme power and allows for the fastest travel between the two places. If you wish to go to the Tian Cang Domain or the Myriad Saints Domain, you can use it."
"Much obliged."
Ye Chen cupped his fists in thanks and led his group to depart.
To also prevent the alien army from invading again while the Emperor's Pass was weakened, Ye Chen directly had the Chaos Heavenly Mansion leave behind ten Quasi-Monarch experts and a hundred Divine Kings to hold the fort here.
This delighted the eight Quasi-Monarchs. With these Quasi-Monarchs and Divine Kings, the Emperor's Pass would be even more impregnable and unbreakable.
Simultaneously, they felt Ye Chen was becoming increasingly unfathomable, because these Quasi-Monarchs showed exceptional reverence and fervent worship towards Ye Chen.
It was worth mentioning that these Quasi-Monarchs were not human, but were transformed from Quasi-Monarchs of other powerful races. There were even Quasi-Monarchs from the Immortal Race, which greatly startled the eight Quasi-Monarchs of the Sealed Universe.
How had the Battle Saint King subdued so many super experts? Whether Divine Kings or Quasi-Monarchs, they would absolutely be considered pivotal super experts within Emperor Clans or Immortal Clans, holding extremely high status.
Before returning to the center of the Myriad Domains, the Supreme Passageway required some time to prepare.
During this period, Ye Chen could only suppress the anxiety in his heart, knowing that mere anxiety was useless.
Outside the Myriad Domains Palace, he saw many Emperor's Pass experts looking at him with respect, especially the younger generation whose gazes were filled with unconcealed fervor and worship.
This made Ye Chen involuntarily shake his head slightly. Then, a glimpse from the corner of his eye caught sight of a familiar old acquaintance.
In a flash, his figure appeared before that familiar elder. He cupped his fists and bowed. "Senior, it's been a long time."
"Battle Saint King!?" The person was startled, not expecting Ye Chen's sudden appearance.
This person was precisely the City Lord of the First Emperor Pass who had escorted Ye Chen across the successive Emperor Passes to the Tenth Emperor Pass all those years ago.
However, compared to back then, he had aged considerably, with more wrinkles on his face, appearing frail and elderly, his blood energy in a state of decline. Now, he looked at Ye Chen with a hint of awe.
A person's reputation precedes them. Not long ago, Ye Chen had displayed divine might on the Emperor's Pass, forcefully suppressing and slaying several Quasi-Monarchs, even cutting down a Great Perfection Quasi-Monarch. How could the current City Lord of the First Emperor Pass dare call himself 'senior' before Ye Chen? He might even need to address Ye Chen as senior instead.
After all, the accomplished one is the teacher!
Ye Chen smiled faintly. "Senior, just call me Ye Chen. No need to be formal."
"Alright, alright!" The City Lord of the First Emperor Pass was very moved. After all, the Battle Saint King hadn't changed from the past, still treating him with such courtesy.
Many years apart, the City Lord of the First Emperor Pass was still within the Great Power realm, though he could be considered a half-step Divine King. He couldn't compare to young talents like Zhao Feng, who had surpassed him and become Divine Kings.
Compared to Ye Chen, the gap was like heaven and earth.
One could say that almost anyone casually stepping out from the Chaos Heavenly Mansion was stronger than the City Lord of the First Emperor Pass by who knows how much.
However, the City Lord of the First Emperor Pass was ultimately old, on the downhill slope of life. He was quite content with his state. His innate talent couldn't compare to those young generation's peerless talents, and due to certain reasons, being able to become a half-step Divine King was already a fortunate event.
As for whether he could become a Divine King, he would leave it to fate.
"Senior, you have Dao injuries within you." What kind of person was Ye Chen? Without even activating the Eyes of the Heavens, his fiery golden eyes saw through the City Lord of the First Emperor Pass's physical condition at a glance—there were terrifying Dao injuries inside his body.
The City Lord of the First Emperor Pass waved his hand, smiling faintly. "It's nothing serious, just some aftereffects from battles long ago. It won't kill me."
Though he said that, these Dao injuries caused his blood energy to rapidly wither. One year of aging for him surpassed a hundred years for others. Otherwise, he wouldn't have aged so much in just a few centuries.
"Senior, I'll help you dissipate these Dao injuries right now." With that, Ye Chen directly grasped the City Lord of the First Emperor Pass's arm. The Divine King Revival Technique immediately circulated, carrying with it the life force of the Tree of Life and the powerful, unparalleled baptism of his Chaos Saint Blood's blood energy.
Boom—
Almost within a brief moment, the Dao injuries within the City Lord of the First Emperor Pass's body were forcefully dissipated.
Simultaneously, the City Lord of the First Emperor Pass had been at the half-step Divine King stage. Because of the existence of the Dao injuries, his cultivation had been suppressed all along, preventing him from advancing and becoming a true Divine King.
Now that the Dao injuries were dissipated, his aura began to climb steadily.
Boom—
The Divine King Tribulation descended, startling the Tenth Emperor's Pass and drawing everyone's attention.
"Hahaha—"
The City Lord of the First Emperor Pass laughed heartily. Having his Dao injuries dissipated was already immensely gratifying. Now, having also received the baptism of Ye Chen's Chaos Saint Blood, his physical body advanced further. Moreover, he sensed the intent of myriad Daos being refined within Ye Chen's Chaos Saint Blood, leading to a breakthrough in his state of mind. At this moment, he directly broke through and became a Divine King.
The Divine King Tribulation was a three-hundred-fold Divine King Tribulation, which could be considered extraordinary.
The City Lord of the First Emperor Pass soared into the sky. At this moment, he swept away his earlier despondence andthe signs of aging. His white hair turned black, his flesh became full, his life force surged dramatically. He forcefully clashed with the Divine King Tribulation, attracting the attention and focus of many.
Half a day later, the Divine King Tribulation ended. The City Lord of the First Emperor Pass was radiant. With his Dao injuries dissipated and having advanced to Divine King, his lifespan surged dramatically. Now he had returned to the state of a thirty-year-old, on the rising ladder of life, his blood energy vigorous and strong.
"Little friend, I am truly grateful. Today, thanks to your favor, I achieved Divine Kinghood. This great kindness and virtue, I will never forget." The City Lord of the First Emperor Pass came before Ye Chen and bowed deeply in sincere thanks.
Ye Chen hurriedly helped him up. "Senior, please don't be like this. This junior cannot bear it."
The City Lord of the First Emperor Pass did not decline. Being overly pretentious would create distance between them.
Others, even leaders of major forces who had long been Divine Kings, looked at the City Lord of the First Emperor Pass with envy and jealousy. After all, being able to befriend the Battle Saint King was definitely beneficial and harmless.
Now they had also witnessed the Battle Saint King's astonishing methods, effortlessly dissipating the injuries that had plagued the City Lord of the First Emperor Pass for centuries and giving him a boost to achieve Divine Kinghood. Such methods could truly be called world-shaking.
Ye Chen stood side by side with the City Lord of the First Emperor Pass. "Senior, this junior has some matters I'd like to ask about."
"Little friend, no need for formalities. Speak freely. If I know anything, I will certainly tell you everything." The City Lord of the First Emperor Pass said.
"Senior, do you remember when this junior first came to the Tenfold Emperor Passes all those years ago, I brought along a small, cute, white little beast?"